Fifth year students, or super-seniors as they are commonly referred, have become increasingly prevalent as options for majors continue to increase. As students test their abilities in more than one field, their time spent in college grows. There are however, other reasons students over-stay the traditional four years.
It is typically not the intention of most students to graduate late. There are many variables that go into whether a student graduates in their typical senior year or if they must stay for an extra semester or two.
"I started my major late. With so many core classes and so many (general education) requirements it was very difficult for me to graduate on time," said Josh Rosensweig, a senior architecture major. "When I got here (to UB), I was overwhelmed by major choices and it took me a long time to realize what I really wanted to do."
However, some students admit that it is not always the fault of UB's general education requirements or the departments in which students are enrolled. Some students tell the story of how they threw themselves into the college mix with little regard for grades and the consequences of not attending to their studies.
"I just partied too much and I am paying the price now," said Adam Youngs, a senior media studies major. "I got to school thinking that I could balance my social life with my classes and I unfortunately had my priorities wrong."
According to Donald T. McGuire, director of student services at the College of Arts and Sciences, staying past four years is not necessarily a disadvantage for some students.
"There's a lot of pressure on universities to show a four year graduate rate. But I don't think that pressure should prevent UB from encouraging students who may need it."
According to McGuire, the need for an extra year or two varies among students for different reasons.
"There are many factors that come into play. It can be financial, or medical or even personal. In this day and age, where so many students go to college directly from high school, many of them find out that they're simply not ready for college," said McGuire.
There are so many social activities available at UB that it is not difficult for students to get themselves into academic trouble and fall behind in the workload that he or she has taken. But there are ways to strike a balance between work and play.
"It is all about time management," said Marc Stellrecht, a junior management major. "You need to know where to spend your time. It is okay to party after you get your work done and your responsibilities to school are complete."
Through the Leadership Development Center in 250 Student Union, students can take workshops in time management as well as a breadth of other areas that can help students become organized. This knowledge can potentially help prevent that fifth year so many students at UB have experienced.
"I wish I knew back then what I know now. I guess that comes with maturity though," said Youngs.
There are some advantages, though, to staying in college for more than four years.
Lorne Greenberg, a student who graduated in four years from the Jacobs School of Business in 2002 has had a lot of trouble finding work.
"I thought it was going to be easier to find something in my field, but it has been a disaster. Nobody wants to hire," said Greenberg. "Hopefully, the economy will start looking up and it will not be as difficult to find work come this May."
With a fifth year unavoidable for some students, it becomes a rude awakening to those who are ready to start their careers.
"I am ready to get out," said Rosensweig. "I have endured all that I can here at UB. From all those nights I spent in (the architecture) studio to all those nights I have spent at the bars on Main Street, the time has come to get out. Four years was fun, five years is overkill."
